SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As inflation and economic uncertainty continue to surge, United Domestic Workers (UDW) and the California Community Colleges are advancing a new approach to workforce development that brings education and training directly to working adults. An approach that has reached an enrollment milestone of more than 1,000 union members, and their families, in free or low-cost classes at their local community college.
UDW represents more than 250,000 care workers, including home care and family child care providers, across California. Many members are women and people of color who balance demanding caregiving jobs with family responsibilities. Through this partnership, UDW and the California Community Colleges are addressing long-standing barriers to education while helping prepare a skilled workforce that supports families, communities and the broader economy.
The UDW Adult Learner Demonstration Project is an innovative partnership initiative that connects independent home care and family child care providers with local community colleges to pursue certificates, degrees, and stackable credentials aligned with in-demand careers. Designed for working adults, the program combines flexible college instruction with personalized union support to help participants build skills, increase earnings and strengthen California’s workforce.
Since launching just over a year ago, enrollment in the initiative has grown from 145 participants to more than 1,000; a 590% increase. And union member surveys show that 90% of participants say the program helped them establish a clear direction for their academic and professional development, and 87% report feeling more confident navigating college.
“Too many care workers have never had the opportunity to pursue higher education, whether because of demanding workloads or the systemic barriers that people of color and lower-income workers face across our country,” said Doug Moore, Executive Director of UDW. “This partnership demonstrates what is possible when we design workforce development around the realities of workers’ lives. By meeting caregivers where they are and removing long-standing barriers to education, we are helping them build the skills and credentials that lead to true economic security. We look forward to expanding this work so even more UDW members can benefit from these life-changing opportunities.”
This pilot project includes 20 community colleges across five counties. Colleges offer career pathways in health care, child development, digital literacy, and business, along with flexible schedules, bilingual instruction, online classes, and access to counseling, tutoring, and career guidance. Colleges also help identify wraparound support services that bolster persistence and completion.
UDW complements this academic support with personalized case management services. Union case workers assist members with tuition and student fees, laptop and textbook loans, transportation assistance and childcare services. Case workers also provide ongoing check-ins and advice to help participants stay enrolled and reach their goals.
“We are excited to celebrate this enrollment milestone and the strong partnership with UDW that made it possible,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “This pilot program with our colleges and UDW members shows what’s possible when we design programs for working learners and bring education, and the support they need, directly to them. Expanding access to higher education for working Californians is a core priority of Vision 2030. This innovative partnership with UDW helps accelerate that work. It also offers a model that can be scaled, so more Californians can access high-quality higher education to strengthen their economic stability and social mobility.”
The partnership is already providing a path forward for students like Eunice Worrel-Santos, an In-Home Supportive Services provider who cares for both of her parents while managing her family’s finances. After learning about this initiative through UDW, she enrolled in bookkeeping classes at North Orange Continuing Education.
“UDW made me feel so special — like I can do better, I can do more,” said Worrel-Santos, UDW member and new student. “The future looks brighter now. There’s more I can do.”
When Worrel-Santos completes the program, she hopes to become an independent tax preparer, allowing her to work from home while continuing to care for her parents.
The joint three-year UDW Adult Learner Demonstration Project is designed to evaluate outcomes, strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities for expansion. By aligning education with the realities of working adults, UDW and the California Community Colleges are creating a scalable model that supports economic mobility, meets workforce needs and provides individuals with a pathway to a good paying job.
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UDW represents more than 250,000 dedicated home care and family child care providers across California. Their members are the backbone of care for seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families—fighting for fair wages, better working conditions, and policies that strengthen our communities.